Prologue: Mother's Final Request
Author's Note
Welp, here it is. Enjoy!
Prologue: Mother's Final Request
Mother’s Last Request
Queen Chrysalis laid upon her bed in the royal chambers of the changeling hive, restless despite how tired she felt. She loved her subjects, loved them like she could never love anything else on Equs for they were all her children. In all the time she had served as their queen, she had done her best to give them everything, to nurture and cherish them the way those accursed poniesdid for their own young.
And yet, for all her efforts, for all her schemes and plots, she had never been able to sufficiently provide them the one thing they needed. That was a task better suited to the ones who would soon succeed her.
“Guard!” She called, her voice hoarse and weak, yet still carrying all of the authority expected of a changeling royal.
As expected, two of her guards came rushing in, the obsidian black plate mail clattering with their haste. “My queen!” The first one exclaimed, he and his companion scanned the room for what had caused his mistress’ distress. Finding none, they bowed before their ruler. “What is your command?”
Chrysalis smiled weakly at the pair, they had grown up quite well, she had been present the day their clutch had hatched, having not needed to tend to any of her royal duties that day.
“At ease, captain,” she said, coughing into her hoof for a moment before continuing. “Please send a messenger for the prince and princess, I would like to talk with them.”
The pair of guards saluted, turning and marching out the door of her chambers, leaving the queen to her own devices once more.
Such good children, she thought, watching the doors close again. It’s a pity I won’t be able to witness their future growth.
All there was left to do now, was wait.
Chrysalis could feel the cold as it began to seep into the dark chitin surrounding the much more sensitive flesh within. No! She thought. I cannot allow myself to fall just yet, I have business to finish first. With that, she shook herself under her blankets, staving off the cold.
Time seemed to crawl by as Chrysalis waited for her direct children to come before her, those chosen personally by her to become royals themselves from among thousands of their brethren to receive her blessing.
A knock sounded at the door as the guard captain poked his head inside. “My queen, the prince and princess have arrived.”
“Send them in, we are not to be disturbed until they have left,” Chrysalis commanded.
“As you wish, my queen.” The captain then opened the door fully, allowing the two much taller changelings to enter before shutting the door softly behind him.
The first was a large male, thick chitin plates covering any weakness in his body, so much so that he had never really needed armor for protection. A fiery mane of scarlet membranous tissue crested his head and neck, trimmed down to military regulation length with a lock that draped down, drawing attention to his large blue eyes. A cape bearing the royal insignia adorned his back. This was Antithesis, prince of the changeling hive and supreme military commander of their drone army.
The second was a much more slender female, her form flowing easily from her horn to her dock. Her chitin, while not nearly as thick as her brother’s, was a smooth and glossy black, matching her mother’s in her youth. A her mane was a stark white and flowed easily, having been allowed to grow out, framing her intelligent emerald eyes and smooth face. This was Synthesis, elder princess, heir to the changeling throne, and the most sought after female in the hive.
“Mother!” Exclaimed Antithesis, all decorum tossed aside at the sight of his queen, galloping to her bedside and taking his mother’s forehoof in his own. His elder sister strode up, her gait as refined and regal as the moment she had walked in. Despite what was no doubt her best efforts to remain stoic, Chrysalis could easily see the sadness was threatening to overcome her just as much her brother.
“Good evening mother, I trust you are feeling well?” Synthesis said softly, bowing her head in respect to her queen.
“Please Synthesis, disregard the formalities, I fear we will not have much time for them,” Chrysalis said, coughing into her free forehoof. They were more violent this time.
“Mother! Please, do not leave us!” Antithesis said, tears beginning to prick at his eyes.
“Oh Antithesis, always the emotional one, whatever will I do with you?” Chrysalis chuckled, patting her son on the head with her free hoof.
“And Synthesis, there is a time for decorum and a time for letting your emotions show,” Chrysalis continued, looking up at her daughter, whose expression softened and knelt to join her brother.
“I wish this day had never come, mother,” Synthesis said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. She rested her forehoof on the bed next to her brother’s.
“You both have made me so proud,” Chrysalis said, a smile gracing her mouth as she stroked the side of both her heirs’ faces. She could already feel the cold beginning to seep into her again, she would have to be quick.
“Antithesis, under you, our numbers have grown to where they had been at the time of my greatest defeat. Our military might is now unparalleled,” she said, drawing a small smile from the fiery maned changeling.
“And Synthesis,” Chrysalis continued, “never have I met another one of our race with a mind as sharp as yours, you will make a fine queen.” Synthesis gave her mother a tear-filled smile.
“Yes, you two have grown into fine examples of our race,” Chrysalis continued, looking up at the ceiling with a faraway look in her eye. “That being said, I have just one final request for you both.”
“What is it mother? I would do anything!” Antithesis said, leaning in as if the proximity to his mother would prolong her passing. Synthesis nodded silently, already knowing what was going to be asked of her and her sibling.
“I would ask you to avenge me of my greatest defeat,” Chrysalis said, turning her gaze to her children again, a hard look in her eyes. “Conquer the Kingdom of Equestria and take from those princesses what they took from me. Bring those wretched poniesto heel so that our hive may flourish.”
“Yes mother, of course!” Antithesis said, nodding his head frantically. “They will fall before our military might like wheat before a scythe!”
Synthesis remained silent.
Chrysalis turned to her daughter, a knowing smile on her face. The cold was becoming more insistent now. “Synthesis, I am entrusting the care of the rest of your brothers and sisters to you, guide them to the future they deserve.”
“I shall, mother. I will make sure the hive flourishes once more,” Synthesis said, bowing her head and finally letting her tears fall.
“Then I will have no regrets,” Chrysalis said, her eyes drifting to the grim specter hanging over her. “It would seem my time is at an end, my children. I leave the hive in your capable hooves.”
“No mother, please do not go!” Antithesis cried, grasping at his mother’s forehoof desperately.
“Always the emotional one...” Chrysalis muttered, closing her eyes and allowing the cold to take her.
“What do you mean you want to make peace with them!?” Antithesis roared at his sister, glaring daggers while she remained stoic upon the obsidian throne.
“Exactly what I said, brother,” Synthesis said, her tone even.
Antithesis began to pace, a bad habit that mother had never been able to force out of him. “The dirt over our mother’s coffin has yet to settle and you’ve already begun to insult her memory?” He said furiously through gritted teeth.
“You forget she entrusted the care of the hive to me.”
“And you forget her final wish! I will not stand by while my own sister betrays everything our mother stood for by breaking bread with her most hated enemies!”
“It is because I am willing to break bread with them that our hive will survive!”
“How so? We can easily-”
“Conquer them? And how long will that take? A year, ten, maybe more?” Synthesis said, standing from the throne and beginning to march down to her brother. “Do you forget what happened the last time we attempted a hostile takeover of Equestria? Our race ended up in exactly the position we find ourselves in now!”
“And that is why we must-”
“No! That is exactly why we mustn’t make war with Equestria!” Synthesis commanded, now nose to nose with her brother. “Look around, Antithesis! Our people are starving and our greater numbers? The very thing you were praised for has only made the situation worse. Worse!
“Do you forget who their rulers are?” Synthesis continued, now pacing back and forth in front of the supreme military commander of the changelings. “Celestia and Luna control the heavens for The Mother’s sake! What power could we muster that would stop us from drying out or freezing to death if the sun and moon do not rise and fall?”
“We could always-”
“Keep them alive and under thrall?” Synthesis finished for him. “That in and of itself presents more problems for us. The least of which is that whatever love slaves we capture would now only feel hate, therefore tainting anysource of food we may have accrued through your reckless ambition!”
Synthesis took a calming breath, turning to face her brother with a calm smile on her face. “I loved mother just as much as you do, and I feel no particular love towards the ponies. But I cannot, in good conscience, follow through with her final wish.”
“I will not allow you to sully our mother’s good name this way!” Antithesis said, finding his voice again. “I will carry her wishes out, with or without your support.”
Synthesis frowned. Her brother had always been stubborn, but this was something she would have to nip in the bud immediately.
“Then are you fully prepared to face the full consequences of your actions?” She said, her stern gaze boring into Antithesis’ soul.
“What do you mean?” He asked nervously.
“Do you forget who sits upon the Obsidian Throne? Perhaps I shall remind you?” She said, turning and walking back to the changeling seat of power and sitting upon it.
“Perhaps I will also rephrase my question from before,” she said, staring down her nose at her brother. “Are you fully prepared to ferment rebellion against your new queen? I may not have believed in all of mother’s policies, but I do agree with how she treated traitors to the crown.” She rubbed a hoof along the ebony crown resting behind her horn.
“Surely you can’t be serious!” Antithesis said, taken aback by his elder sister’s thinly veiled threat.
“Oh, but I am, dear brother,” Synthesis said, glaring at him. “So what will it be? Will you submit to my rule? Or will you force my hoof?”
Antithesis gritted his teeth, standing before the new queen for a good while before finally kneeling before her. “Very well, sister. We will try your path of peacefirst.” He spat the word, as if it tasted horrible to him.
“That is all I ask for, brother.”
Chapter One: When It Falls
Chapter One: When It Falls
Chapter one: When It Falls
The light of Celestia’s sun shone down on Ponyville, the usually quiet town buzzing with activity for the ceremonies later that day. One pony in particular however, did not join in with the preparations, choosing instead to gaze sullenly at an open heart-shaped locket in one hoof while absently taking sips from a cup of black coffee in the other.
What are you doing here, Flash? He took another sip of his coffee, it doesn’t matter how much you want things to change, she’s not going to forgive you. With a frustrated grunt, Flash Sentry clicked the locket shut and tucked it back into his aviator jacket.
“A bit for your thoughts, mate?” A familiar voice said, its owner setting his own coffee cup down in front of Flash’s.
Flash grinned at his old mentor. “Hey Phil, long time no see.”
“Same to you, Flash,” Phillip Finder said, taking off his signature grey trilby and sitting down in the chair opposite of Flash. “Last I heard, you were doing detective work in your hometown.”
“Yeah,” Flash took a sip of coffee, cringing at the bitter taste. Maybe I should have put more sugar in there...
“Flash, you all right?” Philip asked, waving a hoof in front of Flash’s muzzle, snapping the young pegasus out of his trance.
“Yeah, I’m still here Phil,” he replied, shaking his head slightly.
“Have you been sleeping okay?” He asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little out of it is all.”
“Come on Flash, you and I both know you’re lying. Your eyes are baggy and bloodshot, your mane’s a mess and you haven’t shaved in a few days, not to mention your wings are improperly preened and I saw you looking at the locket again. You’re worried about Twilight, aren’t you?”
Flash sighed ruefully; Getting past his old mentor’s power of deduction was next to impossible as usual.
“Had to try, didn’t I?”
“I wouldn’t be much of a detective if I couldn’t make out something as obvious as that, mate.” Philip took a sip of his coffee. “It’s about that incident, isn’t it?”
“Right again, detective.” Flash said, sighing again.
Philip stared at Flash in silence for a moment before reaching out and touching Flash’s shoulder. The former Guard stiffened slightly at the unexpected show of affection.
“What happened wasn’t your fault. You know that.”
Flash chose to take another sip of coffee instead of answering.
“You might as well go see her now before the changeling dignitaries arrive, you won’t get the chance later.”
Changelings. A lot had certainly changed over the past year. The biggest was Equestria’s recent peace talks with the supposed new changeling queen. A race that was once a gigantic mystery to ponies and received with open hostility after the Canterlot wedding fiasco were now attempting peaceful coexistence with what amounted to their main food source. Relations had been somewhat rocky at first, but now peace seemed to be a definite possibility.
“I might,” Flash said. “Are you going to the ceremony tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” Philip said. “Not that many cases lately with the increased guard presence.”
“They’ve really pulled out all the stops for this one,” muttered Flash, taking yet another sip from his rapidly diminishing supply of the hot beverage.
Phillip nodded. “Depending how these talks go, we could be looking at peace or war with the entire changeling race. Hopefully not the latter.”
“We’re closing in on the target.” The heavily armored figure spoke into the small gem embedded into the faceplate of his helmet, “ETA ten minutes.”
“New orders, pull back, extend timetable by thirty minutes. Unexpected delay in the arrival of package alpha.” A voice replied through the earpiece in the armored figure’s helmet.
“Copy, pulling back and resuming communication silence.” The figure turned to his partner next to him. “Just how long are we gonna be pulling this thing?” he moaned, jerking his head back towards the covered sky chariot they were pulling.
“Oh quit complaining,” his partner said. “This’ll all be worth it when it’s time to move in.”
“I hope you’re right about that.”
“Please, they won’t know what hit ‘em.”
The large, empty halls caused the sound of his hoofsteps to echo, the easy rhythm lulling him into a trance.
Suddenly, his chest impacted something soft and fleshy rather than one of the crystalline walls of Friendship Castle.
“We’ve really got to stop bumping into each other like this,” Flash said, looking down at the exasperated purple alicorn glaring up at him.
“We really should,” Twilight huffed, picking up the stack of flashcards that had fallen to the floor with her magic, instantly reorganizing them. “What are you doing here, Sergeant?”
Flash sighed, he was expecting this.
“I’m not a Sergeant anymore, princess. I retired a year ago.”
“I’m aware of that, but doesn’t explain why you’re here, in my castle.”
Guess she just didn’t want to use my name then. Flash thought ruefully, “I’m just doing some sightseeing before the ceremonies… and I’d be lying if I wasn’t reminiscing a bit too.”
Twilight stared at him with a stoic expression.
Well, her poker face has certainly improved, must be from hanging around Phil so much.
“So… peace with the changelings, huh? Never thought I’d see the day.”
Twilight’s features softened somewhat. “Yes, it wasn’t easy, certainly not with the queen's’ brother being so stubborn, but I believe it might finally be possible with the signing of this treaty!”
She always did love her work. Flash thought, a small smile touching his lips.
“Anyway, I have to get going, Dawn Shield doesn’t like it when things don’t go as scheduled.” Twilight muttered, shuffling through her cards again.
“Who’s Dawn Shield?” Flash asked, cocking his head. The name was familiar, but he couldn’t place a face to it.
“He’s your replacement,” Twilight said, glancing up from her cards. “You didn’t expect me to go without a bodyguard forever, did you?”
“Ah, I see. Is he good?” Flash asked, trying to keep the small sting to his pride out of his voice.
“At his job? Yes, but he takes it too seriously. I once caught him spying on me when I went to visit Applejack with Starlight.”
Flash chuckled. “Guess I better stay out of your mane then.” He turned to leave, “See you later, princess.”
Twilight remained silent as Flash made his exit towards the castle’s main corridors before letting out the breath she had been holding.
“Twilight?” A soft voice said from behind her, startling the lavender alicorn.
Twilight spun around to see her student, Starlight Glimmer standing there with a sheepish grin on her face. “How long were you listening?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow at her student.
“The whole time, sorry!” Starlight said, as if she were a filly who had gotten caught with her hoof in the cookie jar again. Twilight sighed, shaking her head, turning to leave.
“Don’t you think you should forgive him?”
Twilight paused, turning back to Starlight. “What?”
“I said, don’t you think you should forgive him? It’s been a year, Twilight! I think he’s deserved your forgiveness by now.”
Twilight sighed again, “I know, Starlight, I know! It’s just… how can I? He’s the reason that they...” She couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Starlight put a hoof on her mentor’s shoulder, “I know, Twilight. But what happened wasn’t his fault! Look at me, I’m the mare who ended up destroying Equestria over multiple timelines, and you were able to forgive me!”
“That’s different! He could have saved them, but he didn’t! He just stood there!”
“So did I! I stood by and continually ruined Equestria’s future, not caring what horrible outcome resulted from what I did!”
Starlight took a breath. “Look, I know it hurts, but can you please give him a second chance? I know he still cares about you, he wouldn’t have come here otherwise.”
“I thought you didn’t care about him,” Twilight stated, looking sideways at her pupil.
“I don’t,” Starlight replied evenly. “But I care about you. And I know that, even if we had our disagreements, Flash was one of your best friends—more than that. And when you lost him, it hurt you badly.” She paused. “One of the friendship lessons that you taught me was that you should give ponies a second chance. And that’s what I think is best for you; to let him in again.”
At that moment, there was the sound of a throat being cleared. Turning around, Starlight and Twilight saw a unicorn Royal Guard adorned in polished golden armor standing at the other doorway. He had a pale golden coat, mane and tail and sky blue eyes that focused on Twilight with a neutral expression.
“Your Highness, Queen Synthesis and Prince Antithesis will be here within five minutes,” Dawn Shield said in a gruff voice. “You need to get ready.”
Twilight remained silent for a moment, then nodded turned on her heels and trotted away., following her Guard into the main hall. She had a welcoming speech to prepare for.
The changeling dignitaries arrived with as much fanfare that Ponyville could offer, a crowd of ponies gathering for the appearance of the changeling dignitaries for the peace summit. The sound of buzzing and wingbeats filled the air as Hive Honor Guard and Equestrian Royal Guard kept watch for any and all threats to their respective leaders while staying out of each other’s way.
Suddenly, an excited murmur erupted through the crowd as the Hive royal sky chariot closed in, coming to a stop in front of Friendship Castle. The two royal siblings stepped down from the chariot, a pair of Honor Guards landed on either side of them, escorting them to the castle gates.
Twilight Sparkle awaited them at the gates in full royal regalia, a gracious smile on her face. Dawn Shield stood stony sentinel just a few paces behind her. “Your Highnesses, welcome to Ponyville,” she said, bowing briefly. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me for this negotiation.”
“Thank you for your gracious welcome, Princess Twilight,” Queen Synthesis nodded in reply. “Let us proceed inside to finalize the treaty.”
Behind her, Prince Antithesis glared at Dawn Shield, issuing a silent challenge. Dawn met his gaze with a silent, professionally detached expression. The entourage turned and proceeded into the castle, escorted inside by the cheers of the crowd.
As she started to climb the stairs, Twilight glanced to one side and spotted Flash standing at the forefront of the crowd, Phillip standing next to him. Flash smiled brightly at her. She turned away, choosing to barely acknowledge his presence and maintaining her cold mask. Two steps behind her, Dawn Shield briefly shot Flash a glare as he passed by.
The doors closed behind the group and the crowds began to slowly scatter. Flash remained where he was standing for a moment, his shoulders slumped and his head lowered in disappointment.
“C’mon, mate,” Phillip said, patting him on the shoulder and gently guiding him away.
Meanwhile, stationed up in the gazebo on top of Carousel Boutique, PFC Zipline watched the proceedings through the scope of his rifle, panning his view carefully over the crowd. His earpiece radio clicked on. “This is Bastion, all callsigns report.”
“Overwatch one, all clear.”
Zipline pressed his hoof against the button on his throat, “Overwatch two, all clear.”
“Overwatch three, all clear.”
“Roger that, all Overwatch callsigns clear.”
Zipline sighed as he clicked off his radio. He was supposed to be taking Scootaloo camping today when Princess Twilight’s bodyguard had shown up on his doorstep and requested that he take up position as a replacement sniper, as the one that was supposed to take this position had injured himself when his gun had misfired during target practice. He was happy to help in any way, but the look of subtle disappointment on his little girl’s face as he explained they weren’t going to Rainbow Falls that day broke his heart.
“Let’s just hope that this goes without incident...” Zipline muttered as he readjusted the zoom on his scope to give him a wider field of view. There wasn’t going to be another Celestia shooting today, not on his watch.
“Package alpha has arrived, begin your approach,” the voice said.
“Copy, beginning our approach,” the armored figure replied before turning and nodding to his partner. “It’s showtime!”
“Fury one to Bastion, come in Bastion.” Spitfire said into her radio as she hovered in the sky over the Whitetail Woods
“This is Bastion, what is it?”
“We may have a problem here. Unidentified sky chariot, covered. No perceivable markings of allegiance.”
“Engage and contain, lethal force is authorised if they do not comply.”
“Copy, Fury one out.” Spitfire released the button on her radio collar, flashing hoof signals to her wingmate, a fresh-from-the-academy Wonderbolts recruit by the name Airstrike. Good kid, great instincts, Spitfire thought. He just needs a bit of experience.
Airstrike nodded, following Spitfire as they flanked the mysterious chariot.
“Attention unidentified sky chariot, you are in a no-fly zone. Please clear the premises or you will be fired upon.” Spitfire called out to the armored figures pulling the chariot.
No response.
“Hey, didn’t you hear her? Clear out!” Airstrike shouted, moving closer to the chariot.
“Airstrike! Don’t -” Spitfire began, when suddenly, the cover of the sky chariot flew off, revealing another heavily armored figure pointing a minigun at the recruit.
“EVASIVE MANEUVERS!!!” Spitfire screamed, breaking away from the sky chariot as the minigun finished spinning up, unleashing a stream of high-caliber tracer rounds into Airstrike, his bullet-ridden corpse dropping like a rock.
“Fury one to Bastion, mayday mayday, we have an enemy sky chariot inbound, Fury two is down, I repeat Fury two is down!” Spitfire shouted into her radio, only to receive static in response.
“Bastion!? Come in Bastion!” Spitfire said again, only to receive more static.
The minigun wheeled around, a line of tracers closing in on Spitfire, who used all her stunt flying experience to avoid getting hit. “Bastion, come in! Overwatch, anypony!”
Nothing but static.
Suddenly, her right wing flared with pain as a tracer round shaved off some of her primaries, causing her to lose control and spiral towards the ground. Spitfire tucked her head behind her hooves and braced herself for the inevitable crash into Whitetail woods.
She crashed through the trees, branches whipping at her as she fell and hit the ground with a thump that resounded through her bones. Her body rang with pain for a moment, and she blacked out. A few moments later, she regained consciousness, laying still on the forest floor. Spitfire groaned, clutching her aching head, her right wing hanging limply, broken by the fall and tracer round. She glanced up, spotting the enemy sky chariot as it changed course for Ponyville.
Grunting a bit, Spitfire began to limp in the direction of the main trail through the woods, moving as fast as she could.
Gotta warn somepony!
Twilight led the pair of dignitaries into the castle’s throne room, the six thrones providing enough seats for the meeting that was about to take place.
“Your highnesses, I would like you to meet my friends, Fluttershy and Rarity, the Element Bearers of Kindness and Generosity, as well as my student, Starlight Glimmer. They will be here to mediate the negotiations.” Twilight said, gesturing to the two unicorns and pegasus standing next to their respective seats.
“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Synthesis said, bowing her head slightly. Antithesis only glared at the three.
“The pleasure is all ours, darling, and I must say, you look absolutely divine! You simply must let me draw up some designs for you when this is done,” Rarity gushed, eliciting a soft chuckle from the changeling royal.
“I may just take you up on your offer, Miss Rarity.”
“Just ‘Rarity’ will do, darling. We’re here to discuss the beginning of a friendship between our peoples, that would in turn make us friends, would it not?”
“I suppose so,” Synthesis smiled at the mare, causing her brother’s scowl to deepen.
“Perhaps we should proceed with these peace talks instead of exchanging pleasantries and self-serving drivel,” he opined, taking a seat in the Loyalty throne.
“Yes, shall we proceed?” Twilight asked, gesturing to the remaining empty thrones.
Nodding, Synthesis took a seat in the throne of laughter, while Rarity and Fluttershy took seats in their respective thrones, leaving the throne of Honesty for Starlight. Dawn Shield took his position next to Twilight, standing like a stone statue, his gaze encompassing the entire room, but occasionally flickering to Antithesis.
Twilight clapped her hooves, and a large, round table grew up out of the floor before them, displaying a map of the Principality of Equestria and the surrounding territories.
“As we’ve previously discussed, our race simply wishes for an end to hostility between our respective groups and to live in peaceful coexistence with the Equestrian nation.” Synthesis began, her face becoming one of a shrewd politician.
Twilight nodded. “We understand this. However, there are some concessions that Equestria would like to put on the table, namely the registration of all changelings living within Equestrian borders.”
“What nonsense is this!?” Antithesis growled, slamming his hoof on the table. “What reason would you ponies possibly have for monitoring our citizens in such a manner?”
“Brother, please!” Synthesis hissed, fixing her brother with a stern glare before turning her attention back to Twilight. “I would also like to know the reasoning behind such a measure, however.”
“Simply put, the changeling ability to change their form to whatever they will it presents a large security risk to Equestria; the possibility of changelings using their disguise magic for malicious purposes is one we cannot simply ignore.”
Twilight summoned several copies of a document detailing the registration process, distributing them among the table’s occupants. “The registration itself is no different than the registration process for Equestrian citizenship, with a few additional measures for changelings,” Twilight began. “We understand that each changeling selects a preferred form unique to them as part of their individuality. What we propose is that registered changelings only be allowed to shift between their natural states and their preferred disguise. Whether or not they choose to reveal what they are to the public will be left to their discretion.”
“Ummm… I’m not sure that would be very fair to the changelings, their ability to disguise themselves is just as important to them as my wings are to me.” Fluttershy said, hiding behind her mane. “But… that’s just my opinion...” she added, more quietly.
“I’m not entirely sure this is just for the peace of mind of the Equestrian nation. This wouldn’t happen to be related to the sect of my late mother’s loyalists, would it?” Synthesis asked, raising an eyebrow at the young alicorn diplomat.
“Yes, in addition we hope that these measures will restrict the movements of the terror cell known as the ‘Dread Ringers’.” Twilight confirmed.
“Such traitorous filth do not deserve to be known as members of our race.” Antithesis scoffed, crossing his forelegs over his chest. “Loyalty to one’s queen is one thing, but to abscond from their mother’s hive simply because of my sister’s ideals of peace makes them nothing more than scum.”
Synthesis read the terms once more before nodding, “We agree to these terms for the sake of the security of our two peoples.”
“Excellent,” Twilight pulled up another set of documents, “The next order of business is to acclimate ponies to changelings living among them,. We’ve already laid the groundwork, but we need to do something more concrete to show our solidarity...”
“And now, we wait,” Flash muttered, rubbing his face in his hooves to stave off the sleep that he’d been deprived of over the last few days.
Philip took a seat next to him, keeping an eye on the crowd around them. Something didn’t feel right; his crime sense had been going off all day, yet no location or crime had been revealed to him yet.
“So, where’s Daring?” Flash asked, for no other reason than to distract himself.
Phillip grinned. “She’s off in Yakyakistan, apparently she got a lead on yet another long-lost relic, something about a giant sapphire that can grant immortality.”
“Guess we’ll be getting another Daring Do book soon.” Flash remarked.
Phillip nodded, turning his attention back to the tired pegasus. “You know, it gets easier if you vent once in a while.”
Flash pulled his face out of his hooves, “What do you want me to say, Phil? I bucked up in the worst way possible, I failed her in the worst way possible.”
Phillip sighed. “There wasn’t time to save all of them: you had to decide who to save, and your duty was to protect the Princess. What happened was not your fault.” He paused for a moment, staring out at the crowds of ponies without really seeing them, then continued: “The hardest thing you learn about the job is that you can’t always save everypony.”
Flash grunted before propping his head on a hoof. “You hear about that new terrorist cell lately?”
Phillip nodded. “The Dread Ringers, a group of changeling loyalists to the old Queen Chrysalis. Didn’t really take too kindly to their new Queen’s ideals of peace. Bunch of wankers if you ask me.”
“Is that Uncle Flash and Uncle Phil?” A small voice called out, followed by the sound of tiny hooves galloping towards them.
“Tootsie, Lyra! Slow down! I can’t keep up!” A tired voice called, the speaker wheezing slightly.
“Flash! It’s been donkey’s years since I last saw you! How are things?” Lyra said excitedly, chasing after her filly.
“I’m fine Lyra, where’s Bon Bon?” Flash asked, plastering a faux smile on his face.
“Here...” a voice moaned from behind the pair of overly excited ponies, as the wheezing candymare made her way to the rest of the group.
“Bonnie, you really need to get into shape,” Lyra chuckled, bumping her wife with her flank, earning a sour look from the candy maker.
“I wouldn’t be out of breath if you and Tootsie would stop suddenly running everywhere!” Bon Bon wheezed, trying to regain her breath, much to the amusement of Lyra and Tootsie.
Suddenly, Phillip’s crime sense spiked. His head turned of its own accord, looking up at the incoming armored sky chariot that was bearing down on the town His eyes narrowed at the distinctive shape of a cannon extending from the chariot’s side. His hackles rose so fast he barely had time to react.
“GET DOWN!” Phillip shouted, tackling Lyra and Tootsie while Flash tackled Bon Bon, seconds before the bench they had been sitting on seemingly tore itself to splinters from the tracer rounds ripping through it.
Screams began to fill the air as the sky chariot began to unload another burst of bullets further down the street, turning several ponies into swiss cheese.
“We’ve gotta go!” Flash shouted, shocking Bon Bon out of her stupor. “Phil, get them somewhere safe, I’ll go warn Twilight!”
“Wait, Flash!” Phillip shouted as the pegasus galloped off toward the castle. “Bugger,” he muttered, turning to the two mares and their filly. “We’re going, stick close and follow me!”
“Come on, Tootsie, get on,” Lyra said, lowering herself so her daughter could climb on her back. “Look right at mama and nowhere else, okay?”
The filly nodded, wrapping her forehooves around Lyra’s neck and burying her muzzle in her mane.
With the filly secured, Phillip spared one last glance towards the castle, saying a silent prayer for Flash before leading the two mares away, careful to stay out of sight of the enemy sky chariot.
This wasn’t supposed to happen, there was no way that sky chariot should’ve been able to enter Ponyville airspace! Zipline took a breath. Calm down, Zipline. Panicking isn’t going to help anypony right now.
He clicked on his radio, “Bastion, this is Overwatch two, be advised there is a rogue sky chariot in restricted airspace, currently gunning down civilians.”
Static.
“Bastion, come in Bastion! Damn!” Zipline clicked off his radio, before peering down his rifle’s scope again, No choice but to make a judgement call here.
Slowing his breathing, Zipline aligned his scope with his target: the visor that was the only gap in the faceplate of the chariot’s pilot. His mind buzzed with numerous calculations, taking into account wind speed, bullet drop, and the speed of his target.
Zipline drew in a breath, gathering all his fears and doubts into one package in his gut before exhaling and expelling said package, leaving his mind empty except for the sheer need to hit his mark.
Zipline slowly dragged his scope along the chariot’s flight path, and fired.
This was proving to be more boring than the first chariot driver thought, dully flying around while the gunner in the back was having all the fun, cackling as he toyed with the ponies below before ending their suffering, like some mad god as he cut down ponies, guard and civilian alike.
He was cursing his terrible luck at drawing straws when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. “What the—”
He was silenced as the sniper round flew into his visor, instantly turning his head into jelly before pinging around inside his thick helmet, as if the bullet had a personal grudge against him.
His body slumped down, a trail of jellied grey matter and bone fragments spilling out from the gaps in his helmet. The sudden deadweight caused the chariot to spin out of control, tossing the gunner from his perch, sending him screaming to the ground below where he broke his neck in front of a pony wearing a grey trilby and two mares.
The other pilot screamed like a school filly, struggling to right the chariot before he too met a similar fate, crashing to the ground with a resounding crash.
“Princess, we have a situation,” Dawn Shield said, clicking off his radio, all heads in the room turning to him.“If you would all follow me to the panic room.” This was punctuated by a loud boom echoing from the castle gates. “Preferably right now,” he amended, wincing slightly.
Twilight nodded. “Everyone, please follow Dawn Shield’s instructions and head for the panic room,” she said calmly.
“What’s going on?” Starlight asked, panic in her eyes.
“I can guess...” Antithesis grumbled. “We should have expected for the Dread Ringers to make a move, this summit was too good of a target for them to pass up.”
“This way please,” Dawn Shield said irritably, looking as though he was tempted to forcibly drag the attendees out if necessary.
The ponies and changelings followed the guard out the chamber doors, flanked by members of Royal and Hive guard as they made their way to the panic room.
Flash rounded a corner as the rogue sky chariot crashed in the marketplace. Good riddance, he thought darkly as he unfurled his wings, using them to boost his speed towards the castle.
What’s the point? Dawn Shield will take care of everything, you can just run away like last time.
“Shut up,” Flash growled as he closed in on the castle gates. The guards that had once protected the gate were now bullet-ridden corpses, cut down by minigun fire. His stomach lurched at the sight, and his heart grew cold at the thought of Twilight and his other friends trapped inside.
Suddenly, the gate exploded outward, the large doors slamming into Flash and knocking him onto his side. His head impacted against a rock.
The last thing Flash saw before he blacked out were black forms brandishing submachine guns rushing for the now open gate.
Author's Note
Whew! Gotta say, the struggle was REAL for this one! Hope you all enjoy. Thanks for reading and be sure to leave your comments/opinions below! 
(And Happy Birthday Josiah! LEST I FORGET AND BRING ABOUT THE WRATH OF PINKAMENA
)
Chapter 2: Flash Back
One Year Prior
“Flash? Flash! Wake up!”
Sergeant Flash Sentry, Royal Guard Investigator, awoke with a start, frantically looking side to side for the possible threat that awoke him, only to find the most beautiful mare he had ever seen smiling at him from her seat next to his. In the seats across from them, Flash saw Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle trying and failing to hide their amusement.
“Mmmm, Twilight? What happened? Are we at the gala already?” Flash mumbled sleepily, smoothening out the creases in his dress uniform and running a hoof through his mane in a vain attempt to force the blue locks to lie still.
“Almost, but you fell asleep again.” Twilight giggled softly, using her magic to levitate a hoofkerchief and wipe away a small trail of drool that had formed on the side of his muzzle, drawing a blush from the orange pegasus.
“Sleeping on the job, are we Sergeant?” Night Light asked playfully, a wide grin on his face.
“N-no sir!” Flash saluted, doing his best impression of a frightened recruit. Both stallions held their respective poses for a few moments before bursting out in uproarious laughter.
Flash looked out of the window at the view from the Canterlot mountainside. The sheer cliff the carriage ran along provided a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountainside. In the distance, he could see the small town of Ponyville, a speck of light against the darkened landscape as Luna’s moon and stars twinkled and shone above.
Flash reached up with a hoof, patting the small, square box inside the chest pocket of his dress uniform. Soon... he thought, a small smile on his face. Her parents had already given him their blessing the day before.
Yes, tonight’s Grand Galloping Gala would be perfect.
Suddenly, the carriage shuddered to a halt, the jolt shaking the four passengers violently.
“What’s the holdup?” Night Light called through the carriage window to the pair of earth ponies pulling the carriage.
“Sorry sir!” the one on the right, a blue earth pony with a white mane and a cutie mark of a wagon wheel said apologetically. “There are some boulders on the path, we’ll unhitch ourselves and clear them before continuing.”
“Are you sure you boys don’t need some help?” asked Night Light, “I’d be happy to lend a hoof.”
“Naw, don’t worry ‘bout a thing, sir. We’ll have this pile o’ rocks cleared in a jiffy!” Said the driver on the left, a white earth pony with a brown mane and a Manehattan accent.
“Well if you’re sure...” Night Light muttered, retaking his seat next to Twilight Velvet.
“A rock slide? In this area?” Twilight murmured. “They’re not that common in this area, are they?”
Twilight Velvet rubbed her chin with her hoof. “Now that you mention it… no, they’re not.”
“Should we be concerned?” Flash asked out loud, starting to rise from his seat and leaning out the window.
“Don’t worry about it,” Night Light reassured everypony. “It’s just a small delay. We’ll be there in time—”
*CRACK*
“What was that!?” Twilight exclaimed as a low rumble began to echo around the mountainside, Flash peered out of the carriage window, his eyes widening at the sight of numerous boulders rolling down the mountainside towards them.
“EVERYPONY, BRACE FOR—” He managed to shout before the boulders hit, jolting the carriage and its occupants and causing Flash to hit his head against the doorframe of the carriage.
“Ash… fl… ake…!” A voice urged through Flash’s fuzzy consciousness. He groaned, shaking his head to clear it from the incessant ringing.
“Flash! Wake up, son!” Nightlight urged, causing the pegasus to jolt awake and then cringe from the splitting headache the action caused him.
“Flash, focus, let the ringing die down and open your eyes slowly, alright?” Night Light urged, placing a hoof on Flash’s shoulder.
Flash followed Night Light’s instructions, slowly opening his eyes slowly, revealing the swaying carriage interior.
“There, that’s better, isn’t it?” Night Light said, leaning back slowly as to not shake the carriage any further, resting Twilight Velvet’s unconscious head on his shoulder.
The old stallion looked like he’d been in a fight with a minotaur and lost; Flash could see bruises all over him and a small cut above his swollen right eye, his horn was heavily cracked, looking as if the slightest touch could break it. Amazingly, Velvet looked relatively unharmed.
“W-what happened?” Flash muttered, shaking off the last dregs of his unconsciousness.
“We were hit by a rock slide, our carriage is currently teetering over the edge of the cliff,” Night Light said matter-of-factly, in full soldier mode. “How are your wings?”
Flash gently pushed an unconscious Twilight off his shoulder, unfurling his wings slightly and tapping the delicate bone structure to check for damage. “They’re unharmed, feathers are a little out of alignment though.”
“Good,” Night Light sighed, a look of relief crossing his features. “Now, here’s what I need you to do: I need you to open the door and fly my daughter to safety. The door swings out from your side, so it should work.”
“But what about you?” Flash asked.
“Son, what is your first duty in this situation?”
“To protect and serve...”
“And right now, the pony you should be protecting the most is the unconscious princess lying next to to you.” Night Light said, staring daggers at Flash, as if daring him to challenge him.
“Y-yes sir.”
Night Light’s features relaxed, looking at his future son-in-law with a soft smile. “Get your fiance out of here safely, then you can come back for us. Please, son.”
“Yes sir.” Flash said with more conviction, slowly easing the carriage door open and wrapping his forelegs around Twilight’s barrel, positioning himself at the doorway, “I’ll be back soon.”
“We’ll be waiting.” Night Light said smiling as he held Velvet a little tighter.
With a brief nod, Flash leaped from the carriage, unfurling his wings and flapping with deep, powerful strokes under the extra deadweight. Straining, Flash made it up to the edge of the cliff, setting the unconscious alicorn down gently. “Alright… no more chocolate chip pancakes for you,” he puffed, before shaking Twilight awake, “Twilight, I need you awake for this, c’mon Sparkles...”
Twilight moaned as her eyes slowly opened, “F-flash? What happened? Where are my parents?”
“We were caught up in a rockslide, your parents are still in the carriage, can you use your magic yet?”
Twilight’s horn fizzled as she shook her head.
“Right, I’m going to go back for them, just sit tight.”
*CRACK*
The sound of the carriage’s wheel snapping off made Flash’s blood run cold. He spun around, his eyes wide as he saw the carriage slip over the cliff, the combination of broken guardrail, stone, and carriage wheel giving out under the weight of the doomed carriage.
“MOM, DAD!” Twilight cried, shakily leaping to her hooves and rushing for the cliffside, only to be stopped by Flash. “Let go! I have to save them!” she cried, struggling against Flash’s grip, her eyes leaking tears.
*CRUNCH*
The sound of Twilight’s inconsolable cries were soon drowned out by the fresh rains that fell down upon them.
“I’m sorry, Twilight,” Flash whispered, hugging her tight to him in a futile attempt to calm her, trying to beg her forgiveness as well as his own. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”
“Ash… fl… ake…!” A voice urged through Flash’s fuzzy consciousness. He groaned, shaking his head to clear it from the incessant ringing.
“Flash! Wake up, Flash!” Phillip urged, shaking the pegasus awake.
“Ugh, buck me sideways, that hurts!” Flash groaned, clutching his head.
“Easy. keep your eyes closed until the ringing stops, then open your eyes slowly.” ordered Phillip softly.
Flash obeyed, slowly opening his eyes to see Phillip’s stoic expression hovering over him, his eyes darting back and forth between the downed pegasus and the castle doors.
“On your hooves, we have to get clear before those armored ponies decide to come back to make sure you’re dead.” Phillip said, pulling Flash up off the ground.
“Phil, I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not be around when they get back.” Zipline called from his cover next to a nearby building, his rifle pointed directly at the castle doors.
“Right, let’s get moving,” Flash grunted, shaking off the last of his unconsciousness and following Phillip as they galloped for cover.
Author's Note
And with that, we have a past event that makes Twilight's frigidness relevant! 
Anywhoo, be sure to leave your comments, theories, opinions, and other ramblings in the comments below!
...pretty please? 
